News

Charities bid to run new prisons

Finance | Vibeka Mair | 3 Sep 2008

Nacro and Rainer Crime Concern are going head to head in separate bids to run two new prisons in Merseyside and London.

In an unprecedented move, Nacro (pictured) has joined a consortium which is bidding to build and manage Maghull and Belmarsh West prisons.

Chief executive of Nacro, Paul Cavadino said: “When new prisons are established the best way to ensure that Nacro will be involved in providing good quality resettlement services is to be involved from the beginning.

“Nacro is not proposing to start building prisons or manage prison security, but to manage resettlement services in partnership with other organisations with areas of expertise. If we are involved in planning a prison regime from the start we can increase the likelihood that the regime will be successful in rehabilitating prisoners.”

The consortium includes private sector company G45. Another potential member is the charity Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust. A spokesman said the charity was interested in the different approach to prison management and the chance to improve rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, Rainer Crime Concern and security company Serco are also part of another consortium bidding for the same prisons.

A spokeswoman for Rainer Crime Concern said: “We have a strategic alliance with Turning Point and Serco to improve services working with offenders in the community and in prison. However, this is the first time, we believe, that a charity has been involved from the very start in developing the design and specification of the prison and support services.”

Social care charity Turning Point declined to comment.

Acevo chief executive Stephen Bubb praised the news, saying it’s was a “great testament to the professionalism in our sector”.

“The third sector has a long history of working closely with offenders. Charities had a key role in helping establish prisons in the UK, including Bridewell, which went on to form the template for modern-day prisons. Running prisons is the next logical step for the sector and shows that we have the strength to deliver mainstream public services,” he said.

“Charities have a unique dual role, both in campaigning for reform and delivering the services which show that these reforms are possible. These proposals also highlight the opportunities for partnerships between private and voluntary organisations, where each sector can play to its strengths.”

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